Liver Function Blood Test

Our Liver Blood Test is a liver function test that looks at liver enzymes, such as gamma GT (GGT) and alanine transferase (ALT), to indicate how well your liver is functioning and whether it’s showing signs of inflammation. In its early stages, liver damage is usually reversible, which is why it’s important to spot signs of liver damage early. 

The main causes of liver disease are regularly drinking too much alcohol, taking certain drugs (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications), being overweight, and infections such as viral hepatitis. Less common causes include cancer, and genetic and autoimmune conditions. 

Your liver is a vital organ with over 500 functions, including filtering out toxins, regulating chemicals like hormones in the blood, storing nutrients and glucose for energy, and releasing them back into the blood when needed.

Blood tests that include liver biomarkers (such as GGT and ALP) investigate your liver health. These liver tests can pick up later-stage liver disease. However, liver inflammation isn’t always detectable in a blood test, especially in the early stages of liver damage.

Liver blood tests help determine whether your lifestyle is impacting your liver function and help to investigate the cause of symptoms such as jaundice. Our Liver Blood Test can be used as a screening tool if you’re at higher risk of developing liver damage (for instance, if you're a heavy drinker or overweight). It can also help you track and monitor changes if you’ve received abnormal liver blood results in the past.

No, fasting is not usually required before our standard Liver Blood Test. However, you may be advised to fast if your test is taken alongside other biomarkers such as blood glucose, iron, or cholesterol levels.

Yes, you can take our Liver Blood Test at home using our finger-prick blood test kit. We’ll send you everything you need to check your liver function at home, including clear instructions and a pre-paid return envelope. Alternatively, you can have your blood sample taken at one of our convenient nationwide partner clinics at a time that suits you.

You can check your liver function with our finger-prick blood test kit. Our at-home liver test includes a full lab analysis of your blood sample. You can access your results on your MyMedichecks dashboard, alongside doctor’s advice to help you take action to improve your health and wellbeing.

Exercise and a well-balanced diet are the best ways to optimise your general health and reduce your risk of liver disease, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

You’re more at risk of fatty liver disease if you:

-Are over 50

-Are overweight or obese

-Regularly drink alcohol

-Smoke

-Have type 2 diabetes

-Have an underactive thyroid

-Have high blood pressure

-Have high cholesterol

Most types of liver disease don’t have noticeable signs and symptoms in the early stages. You may want to take a liver function test if you feel you’re at risk of liver disease. 

Signs and symptoms of liver disease can include:

-Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

-Feeling or being sick

-Loss of appetite-

Feeling very tired and weak all the time

-Itchy skin

Our liver function test checks your levels of proteins and other substances made by the liver to make sure they’re in the normal range. It includes key biomarkers including ALT, ALP, GGT, albumin, and bilirubin.